Mason banned for Fielden punch

Australia prop Willie Mason has been banned for one match and fined £2,000 after being found guilty of striking Stuart Fielden in Saturday's 23-12 defeat to Great Britain.

Mason, supported by Australia coach Ricky Stuart, appeared before a Tri-Nations disciplinary judiciary in Sydney where he pleaded not guilty to the charge. He told the panel he only punched Fielden in an act of self-defence when he thought the Lions prop was going to hit him.

But the three-man panel of Tri-Nations chairman Greg Woods, Australian nominee John Chalk and Britain's Nigel Wood decided Mason deserved to be punished and suspended him for one Tri-Nations match. The result means Mason will miss the Kangaroos' next match against the Lions but will be eligible to play in the final.

Mason was cited for punching Fielden in the opening minutes of Saturday's match at Aussie Stadium, an attack which left the Great Britain prop with a broken nose.